Sakis3G: How to install on Debian, when 3G is the only connection method.
Lets suppose you just got your brand new 3G stick and you want to install Sakis3G script and all its dependencies. However, the only available connection method is that 3G stick. Don't panic: All you need is a USB Disk, or CD-RW, or any other disk media (e.g. OBEX enabled bluetooth phone).
Have your Debian/Ubuntu system started up. Jump onto a terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal) and type the following command:
Debian GNU/Linux
$ su -
# apt-get install ppp wget libusb-0.1-4 --print-uris
# logout
Ubuntu
$ sudo apt-get install ppp wget --print-uris
This will present a list of all *.deb packages required to satisfy dependencies. Now open gedit (Applications->Accessories->Text Editor or on the same terminal type "gedit &"), or any other text editor. Copy and paste list of *.deb packages, appending it with http://www.sakis3g.org/versions/latest/sakis3g.gz. Save this text file you have created on your USB disk (or burn it on CR-RW media, or send it to your phone through bluetooth).
You now need to plug this USB disk to a computer with internet connection (it might even be your own computer dual-booted to Windows, for which your operator supplied drivers). Plug your USB disk to that computer. Open the text file you have previously created, and download those files one-by-one. Make sure you store those *.deb files (and sakis3g.gz) to your USB disk and not on computer's hard disk. After done downloading, go back to your Debian/Ubuntu system.
Plug your USB disk to your system, and note the point it got mounted, e.g. /media/KingstonUSB or have a terminal open, and type:
$ mount
/dev/sda2 on / type ext3 (rw,noatime,errors=remount-ro)
tmpfs on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
procbususb on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=620)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
/dev/sda7 on /home type ext3 (rw,noatime)
/dev/sdb1 on /media/KingstonUSB type vfat (rw,noexec)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
This list might look different for you, but you should be able to locate your USB disk anyway. From now on, you definitely need a terminal open. Fire it up and type:
Debian GNU/Linux
$ cd "< where your *.deb files reside>" (e.g. cd "/media/Kingston USB/downloads/")
$ su
# cp *.deb /var/cache/apt/archives/.
# apt-get install ppp libusb-0.1-4 wget --no-download
# logout
$ mkdir "$HOME/bin"
$ cp sakis3g.gz "$HOME/bin/."
$ gunzip sakis3g.gz
$ chmod +x "$HOME/bin/sakis3g"
$ nautilus "$HOME/bin"
Ubuntu
$ cd "< where your *.deb files reside>" (e.g. cd "/media/Kingston USB/downloads/")
$ sudo cp *.deb /var/cache/apt/archives/.
$ sudo apt-get install ppp wget --no-download
$ mkdir "$HOME/bin"
$ cp sakis3g.gz "$HOME/bin/."
$ gunzip sakis3g.gz
$ chmod +x "$HOME/bin/sakis3g"
$ nautilus "$HOME/bin"
You should now be seeing sakis3g script inside "bin" directory of your home directory. Plug your modem and wait till it is finished with its casual led-flashing sequence it usually performs upon connection. Double click sakis3g script. A simple menu appears, cross your fingers and select "Connect". Now wait (it might take up to 40 seconds) and follow on-screen instructions should they appear (PIN number, APN selection).
If it succeed into connecting you to the internet, select "Create desktop shortcut" for daily usage. If it didn't, you might as well delete it, or consider debugging/contributing.